Researchers at the JKU have investigated which districts in Upper Austria are particularly susceptible to the formation of infection foci. Together with the Technical University of Vienna, the company Genspeed and the Chamber of Pharmacists in Upper Austria, the scientists in the Department of Pathophysiology at the Medical Faculty are analyzing antibody tests.
Since the end of 2020, many pharmacies in Upper Austria have had the option of having their own antibody titer determined using a test from the company Genspeed. The JKU researchers are now trying to draw conclusions about the frequency of Covid-19 infections that the test participants have already recovered from. The characteristic immune responses of vaccinated participants could also be demonstrated. Based on the antibody titers determined in the regional population, the scientists were able to identify districts with a below-average vaccination rate, for example.
In addition, it was possible to draw conclusions about the development of a sufficiently high antibody titer with a neutralizing effect in the population, i.e. a protective effect against infection, by means of comparative measurements.
The results of these investigations show that comprehensive – and easily accessible – testing options can represent a goal-oriented approach to checking the existing immune response in a population. In this way, regions with low immune protection from infection or vaccination could be identified early and appropriate protective measures could be taken in good time. According to the scientists at the medical faculty, this forward-looking application of simple and preventive measures has proven to be a tried and tested means of containing future outbreaks.
Source: Nachrichten
